Rack and Pinion gone bad?

[Llunker]

Hey guys,

I had my boat sitting pretty much all semester while i was attending school this fall and i finally got to go fishing the day b-4 thanksgiving. My problem is when i got to the lake before i put the boat in the water i noticed the rack and pinion steering to be stuck. Thank goodness i didnt put in the water just yet. I didn't know what the hell was wrong with it--so i was thinking LUBE-!! i took my grease gun out and lubed all the fittings around the motor i could find and it finally broke loose a little-but still hard as hell to turn in either direction.

I do mean just a little --i got it out on the water and the damn thing takes two strong hands and arms to steer this boat.

Any suggestions on fixing this problem without replacing the steering system? or if i need to replace can anyone make suggestion for which system to go back in with.

Boat specs as follows
1997 Nitro 800 LXS with a 120hp force motor on it--she runs like s champ !!!
boat length is 17'10" or considered a 18ft boat.

Any suggestions?

Thank you guys !!

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

May not be the rack and pinion. Could be the motor, but more likely the cable. Disconnect the cable from the motor, the easiest thing to try and see if the motor is stiff. If not disconnect the cable from the R/P. If the wheel turns, its the cable.

In my experience, 3 times, the steel armor cable wires can corrode and bind/pinch the center steering wire. The armor wires are just under the outer vinyl cover sheath. Water can enter the sheath were the cable makes sharp bend and thins the sheath or can enter at sheath damage sites.

 

[kmarine]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

I agree The cable is probably corroded. I Had this with my old boat and after freeing up a corroded cable every 4 months I replaced the cable and cured the problemb for good. I was a poor college student at the time and my time to clean rust from cable was more expendable than cash. You may want to replace the cable and be done with it, safty is a consideration.

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

ok guys

sounds like bad cables--forgot to mention it is a dual cable system. I have easy access all the way from the motor to the helm. After checking for those obvious things mentioned, do i need to just order a couple cables(if so which ones and how long?) i assume the rack is just fine but don't want to order a couple cables and the fittings be different on helm or at motor?

Any suggestions for cables?

Llunker

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

Yeah,
In my experience, it has not corroded in the motor tube where it is easy to get to. but that is the area where it is easy to grease. It has always been up the cable where grease cannot get.

I think if it is freed, it is a matter of wearing down the plastic sleeve between the steering wire and the armor. However, the armor continues to rust and pinch the steering wire.

Might want to view the Teleflex site for diagrams on cable cross-section drawings.

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

well i looked and can't seem to find anything ? anyone know the size i would need? I bet i can take one of them off and the size should be on it?

I also noticed on my boat that looking at the so called dual teleflex system it only has one rack and two cables connected to it.

When i look underneath the helm i see two separate single racks that feed to the motor where it is connected with two cables--i was thinking this is what a dual rack was? What is it that i have ? dual or two single racks with cables?

Thanks guys

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

oops nevermind--i found this great procedure surfing the net.

This might be well worth it to someonelse with my same system.

This was great

http://www.brushyland.com/fishing/steering.htm

Excellent --but i might add that you need some sort of lubrication on the rods before inserting them into the tilt and steering tubes.

overall this helps a bunch

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

sorry but one more question

I did more research on rack and pinion nfb system(which i assume is better than old R/P systems)--which sounds good. But if I am changing out the whole kit would it be better to buy rotary steering instead of R/P?

Just curious on anyone's thoughts about this? unless for some reason the cables are of different sizes and wont fit in the tubes i was reading on here that alot of people prefer rotary over R/P.

What are you guy's thoughts....

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

But if I am changing out the whole kit would it be better to buy rotary steering instead of R/P?

Ayuh,... It comes down to the available space under the dash,...
Many dashs that use the rack, don't have the space for a rotary...

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

but by just simply looking at rotary vs. rack--R/P takes up twice the space a rotary would??

the rotary looks small compared to two single racks up under the dash


Anyway to measure that to make sure before i order one?

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

Progress,

I detached the steering portion from the tilt and steering tube to make sure the problem was with the cables--sure enough you could push the motor with your finger from side to side

after further investigation under the helm i found this number as the current R/P setup

teleflex #SSC12413--MORSE i assume?? --and it is two single cables to make up a Dual Cable system.


I assume this means i need something in the 13' range --but would like to replace this whole unit with Rotary.

Can anyone help me with part # for replacement for this unit --are the measurements any different for Rotary vs. R/P?

oh and when i was looking around i found Teleflex NFB 4.2 SS14813 ? i assume this might fit. But when I try and look at buying it i can buy the 14' for $50 less. Does it matter if it is 13 or 14ft?



Thanks for any help here

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

Mine had an obsolete R/P and the new cables are not availble for it. I changed mine out with rotary and it is very slick. Most folks thing no feedback is the way to go. Mine is a standard and you can't let go of the wheel.

Length is critical as you can't stretch it and too long is just about as bad as you can't bend it much or coil it.

I ended up going to my local marine dealer, Evinrude, to get a proper fit and let them be responsible. Only paid a few $$ more over internet prices and was worth the convienience.

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

Thanks T-bolt mike

But here they want $1000 to change it all out--i can save about $650 if i do it myself. Which since i can get to everything pretty easily should not take me more than a couple hours work to get it done. Save when you can especially since i have done most of the work on this boat since i have owned it.


Llunker

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

Llunker,

I wasn't clear. I bought the cable from them and installed it myself.

Is it necessary to have the dual steering system? You haven't told us about the boat or the power or how it will be used.

 

[Llunker]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

Well when looking under the helm i have two single rack's that run into the tilt tube and steering tube. mine looks just like the this site i found. http://www.brushyland.com/fishing/steering.htm

look at the very first pic--thats what mine looks like exactly. i gave my boat description on the very first portion of the thread...take a look at my original post.

i have pretty much decided on going back with a rotary and have decided to go back with probably a UFLEX T72FC dual cable X13-set up i found in a couple places for $269. I like the rotary 6-point planetary gearing with this setup.

My question now is does anyonelse prefer UFlex Rotary over Teleflex NFB Rotary system?

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Rack and Pinion gone bad?

You may want to pose a new thread for you question about which brand/system. You are pretty deep in this one.